Stretching
Why do we stretch?
I can not emphasize enough how important it is to stretch all of your muscle groups on a daily basis. This becomes especially true when you start cheerleading every day. Muscles, like other tissues in our body, need to be well circulated and healthy. By not stretching, we continue to overuse and fatigue our muscles, making them short and tight. Stretching prevents injuries and decreases muscle tension. Stretching also improves performance of any skilled movements.
Things to stretch: straddle, pike, butterfly, lunges, right left, left split, middle split, wrists, ankles, calves, hamstrings, shoulders, back bend, lower back, forearms, neck, etc.
Flyers are expected to stretch their body positions further. See “Stunt” section below.
Flyer Stretching Video
Some great yoga stretches to improve flexibility:
I can not emphasize enough how important it is to stretch all of your muscle groups on a daily basis. This becomes especially true when you start cheerleading every day. Muscles, like other tissues in our body, need to be well circulated and healthy. By not stretching, we continue to overuse and fatigue our muscles, making them short and tight. Stretching prevents injuries and decreases muscle tension. Stretching also improves performance of any skilled movements.
Things to stretch: straddle, pike, butterfly, lunges, right left, left split, middle split, wrists, ankles, calves, hamstrings, shoulders, back bend, lower back, forearms, neck, etc.
Flyers are expected to stretch their body positions further. See “Stunt” section below.
Flyer Stretching Video
Some great yoga stretches to improve flexibility: